Historic Louth castle left wrapped in scaffolding as restoration grinds to a halt
Frustration is mounting over stalled restoration works at Roche Castle in Dundalk, as a Louth councillor has criticised the ongoing presence of scaffolding at the historic site with no apparent progress.
Fine Gael councillor John Reilly has confirmed that he has written to the Office of Public Works (OPW) seeking clarity on when restoration work is due to recommence at Roche Castle in Hackballscross, Dundalk.
Cllr Reilly raised the issue at a recent meeting of Louth County Council, asking for an update on the status of the works and whether any progress is expected in the near future.
“Restoration work commenced at the end of 2022, with the castle closed off and scaffolding erected,” he said. “However, the OPW has not been on site for over 12 months. This is clearly evident, as the scaffolding remains in place with no sign of further work being carried out.”
The councillor said he continues to receive regular enquiries from members of the public about the site, with local residents expressing concern that the scaffolding is detracting from the appearance of the castle.
“There is frustration locally that the scaffolding is taking away from the natural beauty and historical character of the castle itself,” he said.
Roche Castle, which dates back to the late 12th century, was built by Rohesia de Verdun and served as a frontier stronghold of the medieval Irish Pale. Cllr Reilly said the site’s rich heritage makes the lack of visible progress all the more disappointing.
“This castle has very significant historical importance, and it is frustrating to see a lack of urgency from the OPW in completing the restoration works,” he said.
Cllr Reilly has called on the OPW to provide a clear timeline for the completion of the project and to ensure the site is properly maintained while restoration works remain paused.
The recent council meeting heard the local authority intend to follow up with the OPW on the project.